Benue state: Tiv traditional council reconciles Akume, Alia

The Tiv Traditional Council (TTC) brokered peace on Monday between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Sen. George Akume, the Federation’s Secretary to the Government.

The previously close political allies had become embroiled in a cold war over the North Central state’s political leadership.

The conflict reached a climax with the Governor’s recent appointment of a factional APC State Executive Council, which resulted in the Police taking over the APC State Secretariat to prevent violence.

Worried about the escalating crisis, the Tiv paramount ruler, Prof James Ayatse, and the TTC invited the two to discuss their differences.

The TTC met with the two leaders behind closed doors in Gboko, the Tiv race’s headquarters, to work out their differences.

Ayatse, while briefing reporters on the meeting’s outcome, stated that the two parties agreed to reconcile their differences.

“The two leaders have agreed to put aside their political differences and work for the progress of Benue.

“Today, I called the Governor of Benue, Rev Fr Alia, and the SGF, Sen George Akume, to discuss with them because of reports that we have received about conflicts between them.

“We have spoken with them. They have told us the issues. We discussed the issues and agreed together.

“They agreed to bury their differences and work together as a team for the good of the people.

“So, all the past differences have been put aside and now we have a fresh start. We shall work together in unity, in cooperation and agreement for the progress and development of Benue.

“The leaders have made a commitment to keep to their word and ensure that there is peace and unity between them going forward.”

He said the SGF and the Governor understood the weight of making an undertaking before the fathers of the land and shall, God willing, abide by their words.

“Yes, they made a commitment. They shook hands and embraced one another. They have promised to work as a team.

“We are happy with the resolutions they took themselves and we believe they have shown commitment. We are their fathers in the land; our blessings have a lot of importance in their activities.

“So, to make such commitment in the presence of the traditional rulers of the land is very weighty. We do believe that they will adhere to the resolutions that we have reached today,” he said

Michael Aondoakaa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, testified for Akume during the reconciliation meeting, while Sen. Barnabas Gemade represented Gov. Alia.

However, following the meeting, the governor and the SGF declined to comment to the media.